Letter writer asks, which of your faces is real?

View full sizeDog walkers take advantage of the dry weather to exercise their pets along the Hudson River in Hoboken. December, 10, 2011.John Munson/The Star-Ledger

An open letter to those who walk their dogs on West 58th Street in Bayonne: Most of you don't live on 58th Street and most of you don't pick up after your dog. I watch as you permit your pet to defecate on others' property or on sidewalks others are responsible for cleaning. I have seen you arrive by car, unload your animal to dirty my neighborhood, empty trash from your vehicle, collect your pet when it's done its business and then drive away. Some of you are sneaky about it, others unabashed and defiant.

On more than several occasions, I've informed you or another dog walker that it was your legal and civic duty to pick up after your dog. Other times I've attempted to appeal to your sense of decency or fairness. Disappointingly, your response is never civil: sometimes you ignore me, sometimes you curse me, and sometimes you threaten me. No doubt part of the reason you react so inappropriately is because I caught you doing something you already knew was wrong.

I'm sure if we met under different circumstances - in the checkout line at the supermarket or during religious services - most of you would behave appropriately and no doubt treat me more respectfully. If you think I'm correct then ask yourself: Which is the real you, that insolent, law-breaking dog walker or that decent person on the supermarket checkout line? Perhaps you already know or can guess, because the true test of someone's character is what one does when no one is watching.
WILLIAM SMITH
BAYONNE